The Pittsburgh Steelers entered training camp expecting their secondary to be one of the deepest areas on the roster. The depth has already been tested. Injuries removed several important defensive backs from the early practice rotation, forcing Pittsburgh to search for someone who could provide immediate stability without needing weeks to understand the demands of NFL football.
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Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey (5) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Jalen Ramsey and Joey Porter Jr. opened camp on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform List. DeShon Elliott is back in the safety picture, but he is returning from a 2025 season in which injuries limited him to five games. Pittsburgh still has talent available, though the margin for another setback became thinner than it looked entering Latrobe.
The addition of Rayshawn Jenkins gives the Steelers a veteran who does not need to learn how to survive an NFL season. Jenkins has appeared in 139 regular-season games with 92 starts while playing for the Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns. He spent the 2025 season in Cleveland, appearing in all 17 games and recording 45 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble.
Arthur Moats discussed the signing during a recent live show, explaining why Jenkins can help before every injured defensive back returns.
“He new, but he ain’t new. How about that? Because he got years in the game, man, and he’s a productive dude that has started a lot in this league. And I think a guy that just makes the secondary better,” Moats said.
Jenkins is new to Pittsburgh’s terminology and coaching staff, but very little about the professional environment should surprise him. He has played in several systems and handled starting responsibilities across multiple seasons. The Steelers can evaluate where he fits without teaching him how to prepare like an NFL veteran.
His experience should be useful for Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham. Pittsburgh wants to disguise coverages and move defensive backs between several assignments. Ramsey is expected to handle multiple roles once healthy, while Jaquan Brisker can work from the box, pressure the quarterback and handle deeper responsibilities. Jenkins gives Graham another player who has seen enough football to process changes quickly.
Pittsburgh’s earlier Ramsey injury concern showed why experienced depth could become important before the regular season begins. Ramsey’s absence creates more than an open spot in the lineup. It removes one of the defense’s most versatile communicators while the entire unit learns Graham’s system.
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Steelers' Joey Porter Jr. on the sidelines during training camp in 2026.
Jenkins cannot replace every part of Ramsey’s role, and Pittsburgh should not ask him to. His value comes from preventing one injury from forcing several other players into uncomfortable assignments. Jenkins can handle safety work, support the run and give the staff another veteran option when the defense uses additional defensive backs.
His presence also protects younger players from being rushed. Sebastian Castro and Robert Spears-Jennings need training camp reps, but the Steelers do not have to pretend either player is ready for a major regular-season role before earning it. Jenkins allows their development to continue without making the depth chart dependent on immediate results.
The cornerback room should also benefit from the additional experience. Asante Samuel Jr. took advantage of early opportunities, while Brandin Echols gives Pittsburgh experience inside and outside. Jenkins adds another layer behind them, making it easier for Graham to build packages around matchups instead of merely filling holes.
His most productive recent stretch came with Jacksonville. Jenkins started every game in both 2022 and 2023, combining for five interceptions, 21 passes defensed and more than 200 tackles. He may not be arriving as an automatic starter, but his résumé is much stronger than that of a typical August depth signing.
The Steelers still have to determine how quickly Jenkins can absorb the language of the defense. Veteran experience helps, but one missed communication can create an explosive play regardless of how many games a player has started. Training camp gives him time to learn the calls, understand how Graham wants coverages disguised and establish trust with the defenders around him.
Steelers Gain Flexibility While Injured Starters Recover
Pittsburgh does not need Jenkins to seize one permanent position immediately. The team needs him ready to stabilize whichever role becomes vulnerable. If Ramsey requires more time, Jenkins can support the safety rotation. If another defensive back misses practice, Graham can adjust without placing the entire burden on an unproven player.
The signing should also increase competition once the secondary becomes healthy. Brisker, Elliott and Ramsey remain central pieces, while Jenkins, Samuel, Echols and the younger defensive backs will fight for specific packages and game-day roles. A crowded room becomes a problem only when the options fail to separate themselves.
Moats’ description captures why Jenkins fits the moment. He is unfamiliar to the Steelers, but he is not unfamiliar with the work. Pittsburgh added someone who understands professional preparation, has started across several seasons and can contribute while other players recover.
The move may not receive the attention of a major trade or premium free-agent signing. It can still become important if the secondary continues dealing with injuries. Jenkins gives the Steelers reliable insurance, and his experience should allow Graham to keep building the defense without waiting for every missing player to return.
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